TRIBUTES have been paid to three lifelong pals who died in a horrific crash at the weekend.

Keen footballers Alan Brown, Gregor Crocker and David Menzies, all 25, were killed instantly when their Toyota 4x4 ran off a village road and smashed into a cottage wall.

Two other passengers, Arbroath FC player Bryan Scott, 27, and 25-year-old Neil Gardiner, survived the impact and were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The three pals - who all played for junior teams in Perthshire - were killed in the early hours of Sunday in the village of Three-miletown, near Winchburgh, West Lothian.

It is understood Alan and David died at the scene and Gregor died later at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

The group, who were in a vehicle owned by Gregor's family diamond drilling business, Core Cut, had just enjoyed a night out in Edinburgh when tragedy struck.

All three men were well-known in Tayside because of their involvement with football at both senior and junior level.

They had played together in youth sides in Scone, where Alan and David both lived.

Alan had been playing as a striker for Bankfoot Juniors on Saturday afternoon in a defeat to Perthshire rivals Jeanfield Swifts. A week earlier, he had been the goalscoring hero for his team as he came on as a late sub and netted the winner against Fife side Steelend in a cup tie.

One former team-mate said: "Alan was a really popular guy and I know this will have left the lads at the club totally devastated.

"Most of them will know the other guys involved too as they were wellknown on the football scene around here."

David also played for his local team Scone Thistle and loved to go on holidays and attend big sporting events with his friends.

The council worker had said on his Bebo site: "Life is not measured by the breaths you take but the times your breath is taken away," He had travelled to Ibiza, Malia in Crete, and a number of Scotland internationals with pals.

Last night, a spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said: "The council's sincerest condolences go to David's family, friends and work colleagues."

Gregor, a mechanic in his family's drilling business, lived alone just a mile from the accident in West Lothian.

He played for Scone Thistle and was one of five children - with two brothers, Finlay and Ewan, and two sisters, Karen and Hazel.

It is understood the vehicle involved in the accident was a Core Cut company 4x4 with red livery on the side.

His parents Alaister and Kathleen were last night coming to terms with their loss. Alaister said: "We're all too sad to speak about what has happened. We're just in total shock."

The three men had gone to Perth Academy and left about seven years ago.

Last night, a school spokesman said: "This is a terrible blow for the school because all of those involved were well liked and remembered fondly.

"Our thoughts go out to their families at this very difficult time."

Last night, Arbroath FC manager John McGlashan expressed his sadness at the tragedy.

He said: "I have spoken to Bryan and thankfully he is unhurt. However, our thoughts are with the families of the young men who died."

The owner of the cottage the 4x4 struck, Keith Hewitt, said that his children had been badly affected by the crash, which happened at about 2.15am.

He said: "They must have lost control and they have hit the wall. The car ended up a bit further along the road.

"There is extensive damage - that wall weighs two or three tons so it has been quite an impact.

"My thoughts go out to the families of the men who died.

"I don't want to say too much as my young family have been left distressed."

A police spokesman said: "We are appealing for anyone who saw these five males in the Linlithgow area any time in the hours prior to this collision.

"We are continuing with our investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

"We are keen to speak to anyone with information that can help with our enquiries."